Musical instrument or vocal flute.



A. V. CHEVERS. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. 0R VOCAL FLUTE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1916.

1,228,532.. Patented Jun 5, 1917.

v rn er MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR VOCAL FLUTE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 191.7.

Application filed February 24, 1916. Serial No. 80,107.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AURION V. Crmvnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Providence, in the county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Instruments or Vocal Flutes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a novel form of musical instrument or vocal flute adapted to be played by application to the nostrils and mouth of the operator. The object of the invention is to provide an instrument for producing a. musical sound from a current of air expelled from the lungs through the nose and directed across the open mouth, with the tone capable of variation in accordance with the form of the vocal cavity in the same manner that the tones of the voice are varied in singing. The manner and means for accomplishing this purpose are fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts. In the drawings Figure 1 is a view showing the manner of applying my vocal flute to use;

Fig. 2, a side view of one form of the device;

Figs. 3 and 4, end views of this form of the device;

Fig. 5, a view in perspective of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 6, a view illustrating a still further modification in the form of the apparatus.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the invention in its simplest form consists essentially of a curved tubular stem or pipe S, provided with a substantially circular or oval nostril-opening a at its upper end and a contracted slit-like orifice 0 at its bottom. Preferably, the pipe S is shaped somewhat like a horn or tusk in general contour with its upper end rounded out or enlarged in bulbous form to adapt it to fit closely against the under side of the nostril to provide an air-tight joint therebetween. At its lower end the sides of the pipe are flattened together to form the narrow opening 0, the edges of which are in a plane substantially at right-angles to the plane of the nostrilopening a. As before stated the stem S is of hollow form having relatively thin walls of uniform thickness with the opening a somewhat less in diameter than the major diameter of the interior of the pipe.

The device may be constructed from any suitable material, the preferred method being to mold it from hard rubber having a smooth, polished exterior. Other varieties of material such as wood, celluloid, porcelain, clay, fiber or metal might be employed in its construction, but metal is perhaps the least suitable for the purpose since it tends to render the tone of the device metallic.

In Fig. l, I have shown the above described embodiment of my invention as applied to use, its method of operation being as follows: The enlarged end of the pipe S is placed at one side of the nose and pressed against the nostril-opening to bring the ori' Through this action a musical tone is produced in much the same manner as in blowing across the mouth or neck of a bottle.

The sound may be varied in tone and pitch by simply changing the form of the oral cavity. That is to say, the player merely shapes his mouth in the same manner as in singing to produce different notes and in this way a large number of tones can be produced through a range of several octaves.

In learning to play the device it is not necessary for the operator to have had previous experience with musical instruments or to even possess a knowledge of vocal music. With very little practice the player finds the proper position for holding the flute in relation to the mouth or oral cavity and the playing of tunes then becomes as easy and simple as humming or whistling. The pipe is very easily manipulated to adapt the mouth to act as a variable resonator and the effect produced is exceptionally pleasing and harmonious, very closely simulating the soft notes of a flute or other reed instrument.

Usually, when a device of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is used, the player holds his vention as above described and shown in Figs. 1 to 4. is entirely practical and sufficient for the purpose intended, in order to simplify its method of operation and provide for its fullest capacity I have improved its form somewhat as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to adapt it to be operated from both nostrils.

Referring first to Fig. 5, I have here illustrated the pipe S as enlarged or broadened out at its top to adapt it to fit around the bottom of the nose in applying it to both nostrils. Preferably the top of the pipe S is hollowed out to adapt it to inclose the bottom of the nose and two spaced apart openings 12, n are provided to register with the two nostrils. The opposite sides of the pipe S are drawn in toward the bottom to form the rectilinear walls of the opening 0, the contour being shaped with graceful curves to give a pleasing appearance and to lighten the structure as much as possible consistent with strength.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a double pipe S of bifurcated form having two upstanding branches 8, s. The branches 8, s are slightly enlarged or rounded out at the top and provided with openings 12?, n while at the bottom they join in the substantially flat stem S having the contracted orifice 0. lVith either of the last described modified forms of the device the method of operation is substantially the same as first described,

except that the air is blown through the pipe from both nostrils and hence a stronger current is induced which increases the volume of sound.

Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner of applying it to use, what I claim is 1. A vocal flute constructed in a single piece from rubber, porcelain or the like in the form of a curved tubular stem with an enlargement at the top adapted to fit against the players nostrils to receive a current ofair therefrom and with its walls contracted to form a slit-like orifice at the bottom for directing the air across the operators lips whereby the vocal cavity acts as a resonator.

2. A vocal flute consisting of a tubular stem constructed in a single piece with relatively thin walls swelled out at the top and provided with an entrance for receiving the air current from the nostrils of the operator and flattened together at the bottom to provide a narrow rectilinear slit through which the air is expelled across the mouth of the player.

3. A vocal flute constructed in a single piece with a molded curved tubular stem formed with a bulbous enlargement at the top provided with an opening for receiving a current of air from the operators nostrils and a contracted slit-like orifice at the bottom arranged with its edges in a plane at substantially right-angles to the plane of the top opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

AURION V. CHEVERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

